The goal of YALSA's Advocacy Campaign is to increase the number of libraries across the country that are providing excellent services and resources to teens. The 2007 PLDS Survey indicated that only 51% of public libraries have a young adult specialist on staff. Recent studies from the NCES indicate that only 79% of secondary schools employ a library media specialist. An advocacy campaign can help ensure that all teens have access to great libraries! Why advocate? Because you are the voice for the teens! Help ensure that 100% of libraries have the staff, budget and resources needed to serve the nation's 42 million teens. YALSA has put together a member taskforce to help plan and implement the campaign. YALSA's Advocacy Campaign is envisioned as a three year campaign:

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==YALSA's Guide and Workbook for Advocacy==

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==Resources==

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[http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/advocacy_final.pdf Speaking Up for Library Services to Teens: A Guide to Advocacy] by YALSA (PDF). You can also use the [http://yalsa.ala.org/presentations/AdvocacyWorkbook.pdf YA Advocacy Action Plan Workbook] as you plan advocacy programs at your library. Please feel free to print and distribute to coworkers and colleagues.

*[http://www.imls.gov/about/building_digital_communities.aspx Building Digital Communities] (two good documents from IMLS to share with library directors & local officials about the importance of broadband access and libraries as key institutions that provide Internet access)

*[http://wikis.ala.org/readwriteconnect/index.php/AASL/ALSC/YALSA_School/Public_Library_Cooperation Collaborative Efforts Between School & Public Libraries] (information compiled by the ALA Interdivisional Committee on School & Public Library Cooperation)

*[http://wikis.ala.org/readwriteconnect/index.php/AASL/ALSC/YALSA_School/Public_Library_Cooperation Collaborative Efforts Between School & Public Libraries] (information compiled by the ALA Interdivisional Committee on School & Public Library Cooperation)

*[http://www.dfer.org/CO_Case_Study.pdf Creating a Winning Legislative Campaign] (.pdf document. This is a case study and how-to guide to legislative advocacy. There is also a two-page check list that goes with this 47 page one at [http://www.dfer.org/Check-List.pdf Advocacy Checklist]

*[http://www.dfer.org/CO_Case_Study.pdf Creating a Winning Legislative Campaign] (.pdf document. This is a case study and how-to guide to legislative advocacy. There is also a two-page check list that goes with this 47 page one at [http://www.dfer.org/Check-List.pdf Advocacy Checklist]

*[http://www.standleadershipcenter.org/Document.Doc?id=2265 Guidelines for Turnout] (are you planning an advocacy event? Here's a tip sheet on how to ensure that it's well attended)

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*[http://www.standleadershipcenter.org/Document.Doc?id=2265 Guidelines for Turnout] (are you planning an advocacy event? Here's a tip sheet on how to ensure that it's well attended)[http://omegavertjuicer350.com/ ]

*[http://vimeo.com/38451798 Out of School Time video] (7 min. video from Hennepin County Library System that articulates the value of libraries as places for youth to experience formal & informal learning opportunities beyond school hours)

*[http://tinyurl.com/OLAactionkit Stand Up and Speak Out for Libraries Action Kit]

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*[http://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/advocacy_final_0.pdf Speaking Up for Library Services to Teens: A Guide to Advocacy] by YALSA (PDF). You can also use the [http://yalsa.ala.org/presentations/AdvocacyWorkbook.pdf YA Advocacy Action Plan Workbook] as you plan advocacy programs at your library. Please feel free to print and distribute to coworkers and colleagues.

*[http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaadvocacy/turningthepage/index.cfm Turning the Page] (free to ALA members: online learning modules to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding)

*[http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaadvocacy/turningthepage/index.cfm Turning the Page] (free to ALA members: online learning modules to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding)

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*[http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/onlinecourses/index.cfm Webinars on Advocacy], free from the ALA Washington Office

*[http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/onlinecourses/index.cfm Webinars on Advocacy], free from the ALA Washington Office

*[http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l YA Advocacy Email Discussion List] This open email discussion list is for anyone who wants to discuss advocacy issues and teen library services. To learn about the list and/or to subscribe, visit: [http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l]. Once an individual has subscribed to the list, he/she can send messages to yadvocacy-l@ala.org. The list is meant to be a resource for individuals interested in advocacy related issues in library services to teens, including librarians and other library staff, trustees, educators, community advocates and more. Subscribers are encouraged to share news and information, exchange resources and best practices, explore solutions to problems and network with one another to strengthen their advocacy efforts and affect positive change.

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==How to Be an Advocate==

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*[http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l YA Advocacy Email Discussion List] This open email discussion list is for anyone who wants to discuss advocacy issues and teen library services. To learn about the list and/or to subscribe, visit: [http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l]. Once an individual has subscribed to the list, he/she can send messages to yadvocacy-l@ala.org. The list is meant to be a resource for individuals interested in advocacy related issues in library services to teens, including librarians and other library staff, trustees, educators, community advocates and more. Subscribers are encouraged to share news and information, exchange resources and best practices, explore solutions to problems and network with one another to strengthen their advocacy efforts and affect positive change.

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*<b>Give a presentation</b> to your coworkers or colleagues at a library workshop or conference. YALSA has created a presentation on advocacy that you are welcome to download and use. It's called [http://yalsa.ala.org/presentations/YAadvocacy.ppt Dipping Your Toe in the Advocacy Pool].

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*<b>Start a Teen Friends of the Library Group</b> with resources from [http://www.ala.org/altaff ALTAFF], including this online [http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/foundations/factsheets/factsheet5.pdf tip sheet].

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*<b>Reach out to Local VIPs</b>. Use this free [http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/advocacyuniversity/localnotables online toolkit] to help you.

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*<b>Attend [[National Library Legislative Day]] with your state delegation</b>, or brief your state delegation on teen services issues and give them YALSA handouts, including talking points and key legislative issues. In the past teen services issues have not been well represented at Legislative Day simply because not many teen services librarians have taken an active role. Request materials via [http://www.ala.org/yalsa/handouts this online form].

Please share your advocacy stories. It could be about a time that you helped promote libraries and teens in libraries, or a colleague, volunteer, patron or anyone else. Each month YALSA will feature a new "Advocate of the Month" with their personal advocacy story. Their stories will be found on the YALSA Blog. Find the link to nominate someone you know at: [http://yalsa.ala.org/forms/advocate.php] On behalf of the YALSA Legislative Committee we thank you for promoting those unsung heroes of advocacy!

Building Digital Communities (two good documents from IMLS to share with library directors & local officials about the importance of broadband access and libraries as key institutions that provide Internet access)

Out of School Time video (7 min. video from Hennepin County Library System that articulates the value of libraries as places for youth to experience formal & informal learning opportunities beyond school hours)

Turning the Page (free to ALA members: online learning modules to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding)

YA Advocacy Email Discussion List This open email discussion list is for anyone who wants to discuss advocacy issues and teen library services. To learn about the list and/or to subscribe, visit: http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/yadvocacy-l. Once an individual has subscribed to the list, he/she can send messages to yadvocacy-l@ala.org. The list is meant to be a resource for individuals interested in advocacy related issues in library services to teens, including librarians and other library staff, trustees, educators, community advocates and more. Subscribers are encouraged to share news and information, exchange resources and best practices, explore solutions to problems and network with one another to strengthen their advocacy efforts and affect positive change.